The Toronto Maple Leafs Perhaps a quiet low season according to Blockbuster -standards, but there is no shortage of storylines on the way to the 2025–26 season. From the rising prospect Ben Danford that makes noise on the international stage to Auston Matthews who may enter a new era of leadership, the team seems to be entering a transition phase – but promising phase.
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While General Manager (GM) Brad Treliving did not overhaul the schedule, his calculated movements and CAP-conscious planning suggest a wait-and-see approach. With important questions that are still hanging with regard to the attacking identity after the team’s mitch, it could define the direction of the franchise for the coming years for our coming season. Can Matthews take a more extensive leadership style?
Item one: Maple Leafs’ Danford runs the heads of World Junior Showcase
The Maple Leafs may have found a jewel in Danford. Selected 31st General in the NHL design of 2024, the 6-foot-2 defender has emerged as a striking performer at Hockey Canada’s World Junior Summer Showcase in Minneapolis. According to A source close to the eventDanford has not only been solid – he was the best player on the ice.
Described as “stable, smart and impossible to ignore”, Danford argues, not only for a place on the Blue Line of Canada in the World Juniors of 2026, but also for serious upward upward setup within the Maple Leafs organization. His ability to break out plays, to switch quickly and show balance under pressure is both praising scouts and coaches.
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Already appointed captain of the Oshawa Generals for the coming season of Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Danford also benefits from mentorship within the Maple Leafs system, including advice from veterans such as Mark Giordano. If this process continues, Toronto fans may not have to wait long to see Danford in blue and white.
Item two: treliving’s cap management and depth additives
In the midst of a quiet low season, the Extensions for Matthew Knies And John Tavares stands out if demonstrably the best pieces of business treliving are demolished. Both players could have looked for more money or longer conditions elsewhere, but their deals give Toronto certainty and flexibility. Tavares in particular showed a strong dedication to the new direction of the team by closing a team -friendly deal late in his career. In the meantime, Knies is part of the long-term core of the team, and the early locking up of him helps to keep Toronto’s top-six competitive.
After those extensions, the team added some grit and depth to the selection. Nicolas Roy was taken over in the Marner deal to anchor the third line, while Dakota Joshua and Michael Pezzetta bring physicality to the lower six. In the top six, Treliving took a calculated risk of Matias Maccelli, in the hope that he could offer secondary attack. Yet the jury is out if Joshua’s Cap of $ 3.25 million is too expensive for his role, and Maccelli will probably replace Marner’s creativity. Even with Cap Room released by Marner’s departure, the team was usually limited to patchwork improvements – at least that is the way it looks early.
Item Three: Maple Leafs GoalTending is stable, but is it fragile?
At first glance, goal congregation is not a point of care. Anthony Stolarz, when healthy, has shown that he can be one of the better backup options in the competition. Joseph Woll, who is still developing, has the potential to be a strong starter and can grow further in the role. Together they form a respectable tandem – against paper. Both, however, have an injury districts that create some worries, especially if one of the two players misses the time during the season for a longer period of time.
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The Departure of Matt Murray knew Up the crease logjam, but the team is perhaps still one goalkeeper. Dennis Hildreby does not seem ready for a regular NHL role, and there is no veteran for the third snardy option in the wings. If injuries struck again, the team can seek help. Although this is not a crisis, it suggests that Toronto could benefit from finding a veteran who can pass exemptions and stay ready in the American Hockey League (AHL)?
Item four: Can Matthews grow without Marner to grow to the leader Toronto?
Matthews remains one of the most important target dishes of the NHL, but questions continue to swallow over his overall impact, especially when it comes to leadership. Some fans consider him the second best player in the world behind Connor McDavid. Others are not so sure, pointing to names such as Nathan Mackinnon, Leon Draisaitl or Nikita Kucherov, whose play -off consistency and emotional involvement seem to exceed what Matthews has shown in Toronto.
His calm presence and lack of visible fire during crucial postseason times have not helped his public perception. Now, with Marner away, Matthew’s unknown terrain is coming in. No longer combined with his old setup man (on and out of the ice), he can be forced to evolve not only in how he scores, but in how he leads. That could change the turning point for his leadership growth.
This can be exactly the type of shakeup that helps Matthews to take that next step. With fewer distractions and no automatic chemistry to trust, he was able to take fully owned by his line, his dressing room voice and his role as a cornerstone from Toronto. Do not be surprised if we see another Matthews in 2025–26: someone who is not only elite, but also orders.
What is the next step for the Maple Leafs?
If there is an advantage of Toronto’s quiet low season, this is the flexibility it holds for the next one. Various contracts that will be added this summer are in the short term and the team has kept its books clean enough to remain agile in the future. That looks like design. Treliving did not box the team with long -term bets and it gives him options if the current core does not go a step forward.
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At the same time, the Maple Leafs must follow their depth. David Kämpf and Calle Järnkrok can be moved in the season when a window is opened, but that depends on the injury of other teams and the willingness of Toronto to replace them from the inside. If the top six produces and the defense applies, the 2025-26 season could become the actual pivot point.
For now the team looks a bit more difficult, a little more responsible – but not radically better. And that can be just enough to keep the window open. There can still be movements.
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